Decorative molding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A decorative molding apparatus ( 10 ) for alternative art framing, picture framing and architectural framing is disclosed in the preferred form, including an extruded body ( 12 ) used in conjunction with an extruded adjustable bed area insert ( 18 ) and an adjustment means ( 20 ), ( 22 ) and ( 24 ) used to raise and lower bed area insert ( 18 ) for the purpose of securing artistic expressions of various art forms and mediums within the confines of extruded main body ( 12 ). Adjustment means ( 22 ) is a threaded grub screw used in conjunction with securing nut ( 20 ) that is captured within receiving and securing slot ( 24 ) of extruded main body ( 12 ). Receiving and securing slot ( 24 ) is also used in conjunction with securing nut ( 20 ) to secure multiple art objects along the horizontal length of extruded main body ( 12 ). Receiving and securing slot ( 24 ) may also be used to secure one section of decorative molding apparatus ( 10 ) to multiple sections of decorative molding apparatus ( 10 ) using traditional securing methods. However, corner plates ( 64  and ( 66 ) are the preferred method of connection.

CROSS-REFERENCE

U.S. application Ser. No.: 11/819,351 Jun. 25, 2007

BACKGROUND

Traditional frame moldings have been used for centuries to ornate two-dimensional art forms and architectural structures. However, these traditional means used in the art of framing have not, for the most part, been incorporated with the art being framed. Little self-expression has gone into framing and it has been, for the most part, a secondary consideration. This new and believed to be novel decorative frame molding apparatus (10) then relates to a framing and architectural frame molding that can be used by the artist for better control over the framing process of the artist's artworks, a new form of self-expression, and an outlet for artistic creations. The scope of this invention, which is believed to be novel, is then within the teachings of the art of traditional framing, yet creates a new and exciting art form in itself and will become clear when the teachings of this invention are disclosed in the accompanying writings and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A frame molding apparatus according to the preferred teachings of the present invention are shown in the drawings and generally designated (10). Specifically, apparatus (10) is a frame molding for use around two-dimensional artworks and as an architectural molding around windows, doors, ceilings, etc. In its preferred form, apparatus (10) can easily be decorated with any art form or medium, including, but not limited to, two and three-dimensional art, ceramic tile, leaded glass, all forms of inlays and electronic devices, including, but not limited to, defused light sources, fiber optics, secured electronic pulses, lasers and other micro-electronic devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiment may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a preferred form of a decorative molding apparatus according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a decorative molding apparatus as assembled according to the preferred teachings of the present invention of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus (10) includes a main extruded body (12), including inside surface area (14) and an outside surface area (16) that are formed with specific features to accommodate extruded adjustable bed area insert (18) that adjusts vertically by inserting securing nut (20) in raised securing slot (24) of extruded main body (12). Raised securing slot (24) has two inward extending arms (26) that hold securing nut (20) from elevating when vertically adjusting bed area insert (18). Raised securing slot (24) also has a bypass area slot (28) between arms (26) that allows access to raised securing slot (24). By sliding securing nut (20) into raised securing slot (24), it is centered above clearance holes (34) drilled through the lower wall of raised securing slot (24). A threaded grub screw (22) is then screwed up through securing nut (20). Grub screw (22) then passes through bypass area slot (28) and upward on center lift area (36) of adjustable bed area insert (18).

Center lift area (36) is flanked on either side by recessed slots (38) and by centering arms (40) that help maintain center balance of bed area insert (18) and grub screw (22). Bed area insert (18) is then raised until artwork (42) is pushed tight against elevation restraints (44) of extruded main body (1 2). Bed area insert (18) has angled arms (46) that flex when pressure is applied by being pushed tight against artwork (42) when artwork (42) is pushed tight against elevation restraints (44). Stability legs (48) of bed area insert (18) slide on either side of outside walls of raised securing slot (24) of extruded main body (12). Extruded main body (12) has an outside shape (54) and an inside shape (52). Outside shape (54) has an attachment slot (56) and an attachment level arm (58) on the inner surface (14) of extruded main body (12) and a lower electronic bed area (60). Lower electronic bed area (60) is a hollow space adjacent to raised securing slot (24) and beneath attachment level arm (58) and bed area insert (18). Inside shape (52) of extruded main body (12) has an inner attachment slot (62) and a leveling plane (68). Outer corner attachment plate (64) is accompanied by a lower pressure plate (66) that rests on leveling plane (68) and attachment level arm (58) when outer corner attachment plate (64) and lower pressure plate (66) are inserted into attachment slot (56) and (62) in unison. Corner plate securing set screws (70) are then tightened, separating outer corner attachment plate (64) from lower pressure plate (66), creating pressure against leveling plane (68) and leveling arm (58) and adjustable bed area stop (30) of extruded main body (12). Outer corner attachment plate (64) has upward extending arms (50) that are received in a sliding manner in the outer attachment slot (56) of two sections of extruded main body (12) when the two sections of extruded main body (12) are chopped at 45 degree angles and joined together by applied pressure of outer corner attachment plate (64) and lower pressure plate (66). Leveling plane (68) angles inward beneath slot (62) and adjustable bed area stop (30), then downward, then horizontally again before rising vertically as the inner wall of raised securing slot (24), creating a second hollow space (32) on the inside surface area (14) of extruded main body (12). Hollow space (32) is used as a guide for stability leg (48) of bed area insert (18). Raised securing slot (24) is also used to receive in a sliding manner multiple bolts and screws that are of a size and shape as to be secured within the confines of raised securing slot (24) and may then be used to attach multiple objects to extruded main body (12) of molding apparatus (10). Raised securing slot (24) may also be used to receive in a sliding manner multiple art objects that are formed to fit within the confines of raised securing slot (24). When bed area insert (18) is not being used to secure two-dimensional art, it remains at its lowest point, resting on adjustable bed area stops (30) of extruded main body (12), creating a hollow bed area (72) used for article inlays such as mosaic tiling, embedded objects, poured acrylic filling, etc. Lower electronic bed area (60) can be used for internal electronics and lighting means when bed area insert (18) is a clear or transparent material and artwork is of a transparent nature. After artwork is secured in molding apparatus (10), a bottom plate (74) is attached beneath and to extruded main body (12) by plate screws (76) to the bottom wall of lower electronic bed area (60). Bottom plate (74) butts against extended outer wall arm (78) of outer surface area (16) of extruded main body (12). Bottom plate (74) can be any extended plate that runs beneath leveling plane (68), creating glazing bed area (82) where two-dimensional artworks and glass and matte (80) are secured by traditional spring clip (84). Bottom plate (74) may also be replaced by a 90 degree angle bracket to accommodate canvas artworks when used with various sized canvas stretcher bars.

Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, although decorative molding apparatus (10) is shown and described in the preferred form utilizing an adjustable bed area, it will be immediately apparent to one skilled in the art that decorative molding apparatus (10), according to the teachings of the present invention, may be extruded in a tubular form and may utilize other connection and bed elevation means and may be formed to incorporate many of the present invention's independent features.

Thus, since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the following claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. Decorative molding apparatus for framing artworks and architectural use generally comprising a bed area used to produce art and at least one means of securing bed area around other artwork; a means to secure artwork to decorative molding apparatus and a means to secure electronic features within decorative molding apparatus that are believed to be novel to the art.
 2. The decorative molding apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bed area has an adjustable inner bed surface that can be raised or lowered to secure artwork that is believed to be novel to the art.
 3. The adjustable inner bed surface of claim 2 that is comprised of material that is flexible when pressure is applied from beneath and creates by its designs a spring like pressure against the under surface of art being framed.
 4. The inner bed surface of claim 3 that has a shape consistent and symmetrical with the bed area of claim 1, including slightly angled arms and legs that keep inner bed surface of claim 3 centrally located within the bed area of claim 1 and a central pressure point that is of a nature to create flex when pressure is applied.
 5. A means to secure a means to raise and lower the inner bed surface of claim
 2. 6. Decorative molding apparatus that has a means to secure artworks within the bed area of claim 1 used to produce art.
 7. A means to secure one decorative molding apparatus to another decorative molding apparatus that is received in a sliding manner between two sections of decorative molding apparatus when apparatus is chopped at various angles and covers the seam of two sections of molding apparatus when joined together.
 8. A decorative molding apparatus designed specifically for the creation of border art around typically two-dimensional art, including, but not limited to, two separate and independent means to fasten one section of molding to another, when joined together creates a continuous embedded trough area that is specifically detailed with continuous slots and angles created to accept multiple adaptive devices and art mediums used in the creation of various art forms.
 9. An independent channeled slot of claim 8 that has a means to attach electronic and mechanical features that are believed to be novel to the art. 